GRADING EXAMINATIONS are held every six months at the Konjaku Shin National School of Karate.
There is a minimum waiting period of six months between each of the mon grades, and 9th to 1st kyu.
Minimum waiting period from 1st kyu brown belt to 1st dan black belt is also six months. These periods vary,              depending on each students progress, and the amount of training put in. The minimum waiting period between                       each dan grades corresponds to the dan grade number itself, i.e: 1st dan to 2nd dan minimum waiting period is two years, then three years from 2nd dan to third dan etc.
Junior Shodan Black Belt age limit: Ten to Fifteen years.
Adult Shodan Black Belt age limit: Sixteen and above.

On reaching the age of sixteen, if training has been continuous, and suitable progress made, the Junior Black Belt will be invited to attempt the Senior Black Belt examination. This will be a formal grading, at no extra cost. Junior Black Belt candidates will need to demonstrate the same technical skills as adults, so the grade maintains credibility. The main differences between Junior and Senior Black Belts are the mental and physical development and understanding of the spirit of karate that develops as a child matures.

DAN GRADES can be attempted ONLY by personal invitation from the Chief Instructor. SHODAN - literally meaning first level, signifies the student is now deemed ready for the next, more serious stage of their karate training. It is the lowest of the black belt levels, and it is only the start.
If a student is invited by the Chief Instructor to attempt a dan grade it means he believes they have shown the correct attitude, dedication, and improvement in mental understanding and technical ability.

* Reaching black belt should not be seen as an end in itself.
* Dan grades are never awarded based on training time alone. Waiting periods are only a "minimum".
* Each student is judged on their own merits, and everyone is different.

KODOMO grades are explained in detail below.
MON grades are junior grades that children between the ages of eight and eleven are required to take before
attempting the full KYU grade.
KYU grades are coloured belts taken by students age twelve and over, or following the appropriate mon grade.
From age twelve and above the mon grades are not required.